Bryan Fuller Hints His ‘Star Trek: Discovery’ TV Series Will Be Yet Another Prequel

Trekkers have been waiting a very long time to find out “what happens next” in the Star Trek universe. Since the 1999 finale of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, basically. Sure, Star Trek: Voyager pushed the timeline ahead a bit further, but most of that show was spent telling one long side-story in the Delta Quadrant. Since the Voyager‘s 2001 finale, everything Star Trek related has been a prequel or part of an alternate timeline (or both).

When it was revealed the Bryan Fuller-produced Star Trek: Discovery would take place in the original Star Trek timeline, many fans hoped we would finally see a continuation of the story that’s been left hanging for 15 years, but new evidence seems to point to Star Trek: Discovery being yet another prequel. Ain’t It Cool News asked Fuller to clarify when Discovery is set, and here’s his succinct answer.

“There’s a big clue in the number of the ship, that indicates when we’re set.”

As you can see in the picture above, the USS Discovery is model number NCC-1031. Meanwhile, the classic Enterprise was NCC-1701, so it seems as if Star Trek: Discovery will be happening well before The Original Series. It’s not clear where Discovery takes place in relation to previous prequel series Star Trek: Enterprise, as that show’s ship wasn’t an NCC model (its number was NX-01).

Aside from indicating Star Trek: Discovery‘s place in the timeline, the NCC-1031 model number may be interesting for another reason. Hardcore Trekkies know that Section 31 is the name of Star Fleet’s super-secret spy operation, so will they play into Star Trek: Discovery?

“There are aspects of our first season that, depending on how well versed you are in that mythology, you could either read into it a connection [to Section 31]. Or not.”

It’s a little disappointing that we’re once again going back, rather than forward. I realize having to deal with the massive amount of continuity and backstory Star Trek has accumulated over the years is a tall order, but isn’t boldly going forward what Star Trek is all about? That said, based on the above info, it sounds like Star Trek: Discovery may be about an early, slightly more militaristic Federation, that maybe hasn’t quite sorted out all its high-minded ideals yet. That could be interesting.

Fuller has promised to reveal more Star Trek: Discovery on August 10. The show is expected to premiere in January 2017.

This is so disapointing. I am a long time Star Trek fan and the only cannon that has not been destroyed by the shitty JJ Abrams timeline is Enterprise. You have a Sci Fi show, you can do whatever you want. Why cram it in to show cannon that has already been written.

So, I’m more of a casual Trek fan, I’ll be honest. I’ve only ever really watched TNG and some of the movies, but this sounds super interesting to me. The references in Star Trek Beyond to that transitional period before the Federation was formed sounded like something that would be awesome to explore.

You would think so, but that was pretty much the ground that ST: Enterprise covered (it’s final episode was the day they founded the Federation), and it wasn’t that awesome. A fascinating time frame, but it needs to be done better.

They’re not boldly going forward, they cowardly backing up. Man, what a disappointment. it’s going to be loosely based off of some fan fiction isn’t it? Can’t wait for all the rating ploy “cameos”. Look, it’s Lil’ James T Kirk! Oh and there’s Lil Scotty with him! Could that be Scott Bakula’s character? IT IS! WOW! WATCH THIS SHOW! NOSTALGIA NOSTALGIA! NOSTALGIA!